Classic Rock Profiles: Richie Furay

Richie Furay helped shape the sound of 1960s and 1970s American rock. As a founding member of Buffalo Springfield and Poco, he pioneered the country-rock genre, blending twangy melodies with folk and rock energy. While Furay never reached the solo stardom of bandmates like Neil Young or Stephen Stills, his influence is undeniable. His journey—from rock stages to church pulpits and back—reflects a life driven by passion, faith, and music.

Full Name	Paul Richard Furay
Stage Name	Richie Furay
Birthdate	May 9, 1944
Birthplace	Yellow Springs, Ohio, USA
Genres	Country Rock, Folk Rock, Christian Rock
Main Instruments	Vocals, Guitar
Years Active	1965–present
Associated Acts	Buffalo Springfield, Poco, Souther-Hillman-Furay Band
Hall of Fame	Rock and Roll Hall of Fame (1997, as a member of Buffalo Springfield)
Occupation	Musician, Pastor

Early Life and Musical Roots

 

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Born on May 9, 1944, in Yellow Springs, Ohio, Paul Richard “Richie” Furay was drawn to music early. He began singing in church choirs and school glee clubs. After graduating from Otterbein College in Westerville, Ohio, Furay moved to New York City to chase a music career.

In New York, he joined the Au Go Go Singers, a folk vocal group named after the Café Au Go Go club. The group included future Buffalo Springfield bandmate Stephen Stills. They released one album in 1964 before disbanding.

Buffalo Springfield: A Launchpad for Legends

In 1966, Furay and Stills joined forces with Neil Young, Bruce Palmer, and Dewey Martin to form Buffalo Springfield. The band became known for mixing folk, rock, and country, setting the stage for the country-rock movement.

Their biggest hit, “For What It’s Worth”, was written by Stills, but Furay contributed standout vocals and penned several tracks, including “Sad Memory” and “A Child’s Claim to Fame.”

Buffalo Springfield lasted only two years, releasing three albums before breaking up in 1968, largely due to internal tensions and Young’s intermittent departures.

Founding Poco and Defining Country Rock

After Buffalo Springfield ended, Furay teamed up with Jim Messina and Rusty Young to form Poco. Other early members included George Grantham and future Eagles member Randy Meisner.

Their debut album, Pickin’ Up the Pieces (1969), is considered a landmark of country rock. Furay wrote and sang lead on several tracks. The band’s blend of pedal steel guitar, harmonies, and rock rhythms laid the foundation for groups like the Eagles and Pure Prairie League.

Furay stayed with Poco through five albums, including:

• Pickin’ Up the Pieces (1969)

• Poco (1970)

• Deliverin’ (1971)

• From the Inside (1971)

• Crazy Eyes (1973)

Frustrated by Poco’s limited commercial success, Furay eventually moved on.

Souther-Hillman-Furay Band: A Short-Lived Supergroup

In 1973, Furay formed the Souther-Hillman-Furay Band with J.D. Souther (a solo artist and future Eagles collaborator) and Chris Hillman (formerly of The Byrds and The Flying Burrito Brothers).

Their self-titled debut featured “Fallin’ in Love,” which reached #27 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album went Gold. Despite the promising start, the band struggled with internal issues and failed to sustain momentum. Their second album, Trouble in Paradise (1975), failed to match their debut’s success.

Embracing Faith and Christian Rock

 

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During this period, Furay experienced a spiritual awakening. Introduced to Christianity by bandmate Al Perkins, Furay recommitted to his family life and redefined his artistic purpose.

In 1976, he released I’ve Got a Reason on Asylum Records, produced by David Geffen. While the album had a clear Christian message, it also included “I Still Have Dreams”, a secular track that became a minor pop hit in 1979.

This marked Furay’s transition into Christian rock, a genre he would continue to explore in the years ahead.

The Richie Furay Band and Pastoral Work

In the early 1980s, Furay moved to Colorado and became the senior pastor at Calvary Chapel in Broomfield. Despite his new calling, he continued making music. He led the Richie Furay Band, performing faith-driven songs while also revisiting earlier material.

Throughout the 1980s and ’90s, Furay maintained a low profile, focusing more on his ministry. However, he remained musically active, recording albums and playing select shows.

Later Projects and Reunions

In 2006, Furay toured with America and Linda Ronstadt, serving as the opening act. That same year, he released The Heartbeat of Love, an album that revisited his earlier songwriting style with both Christian and romantic themes.

In 2007, he reunited with his band for a live show in Colorado. The performance, recorded at the Boulder and Bluebird Theaters, was released as a double live CD titled ALIVE.

Furay’s biggest reunion moment came in 2010, when he performed with Neil Young and Stephen Stills as Buffalo Springfield at the Bridge School Benefit in California. This marked the first time the trio had shared a stage in over 40 years.

Honors and Recognition

Richie Furay was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 as a member of Buffalo Springfield. While he’s often seen as the “quiet” member compared to his more famous bandmates, critics and musicians recognize his influence in crafting the country-rock blueprint.

Artists like Eagles, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban have cited Poco and Furay as major influences.

Recent Activities

Even in his late 70s, Furay remains musically active. In 2020, he released 50th Anniversary Return to the Troubadour, a live album that celebrated his decades-long career. In 2022, he followed it up with In the Country, which featured country-styled covers of well-known hits, including “Take Me Home, Country Roads.”

Today, Furay continues to perform and inspire fans, staying true to his roots in music and faith.

Selected Discography Highlights